The head of the specialists group told IRNA on Thursday "two main objectives of this delegation is to evaluate the ways and means of small and medium scale industries development in Iran and cooperation in development of agricultural industries especially making optimum use of the excess production of dates in Iran".

On the plan to develop small and medium sized industries in Iran he said that this project is significant especially for creation of new job opportunities of the learned Iranian youth. With the cooperation of Iranian specialists, research is going to be carried out for creation of a framework for a long term approach for development of Iranian medium and small industries.

He added that "Anton Kroft" is another UNIDO specialist who has great experience in the developing countries and with the assistance of Iranian researchers, they will collect necessary information about such industries. A final evaluation and proposal shall be submitted to the ministry of industries and mines next September on the basis of these information.

The head of UNIDO group also said that at the request of the Iranian government attempts will be made for increasing the women's participation and their role in the management of small industries.

On agricultural industries and the excess production of dates and making optimum uses of it, the group will study making best use of the excess production in cooperation with the ministry of agriculture. He noted that the part of the produce that is cannot not be absorbed by the domestic markets due to its inferior quality could be used for making sugar, or for extraction of its juice or as cattle feed.

He considered absorption of capital as one of the essential factors required for development of small and medium scale industries and added that Iranian laws require amendments in this respect.

A UNIDO specialists last year presented a series of proposed laws required for absorption of capital investment in Iran that as welcomed by the government authorities and even some Majlis MPs and paved the ground for formulation of laws and amendment of some.

The UNIDO specialist added that the proposals by UNIDO for the means to absorb capital have been welcomed by various economic sectors in Iran and that many industries have requested UNIDO specialists to be commissioned to those industries for consultation services. He said UNIDO might perhaps establish a center for training of advisors for absorbing capital to Iran.

He said that UNIDO has other plans under study in the field of energy and creation of a center for research and measurement equipment of high voltage power and also a project for production of solar energy in Yazd.

On financing of UNIDO projects in Iran, he said that although UNIDO is only active in the field of technology transfer and its projects must be financed by the recipient agencies some part of the expenses of its research projects in Iran have been undertaken by UNIDO.

He estimated the value of total projects in progress by UNIDO in Iran to be more than six million US dollars and said "What is important in implementation of these projects is the transfer of technology and specialized experiences to the Iranian industries."